Yate & Sodbury Voice February 2020

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February, 2020 Issue 60

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Giving hope to a family Ryan's challenge A YATE strongman took on the rest of the country's top talent at the Britain's Strongest Man contest.

PAGE 9

Transport vision YATE needs a second station and park and ride, say the authors of a new report into the future of transport in the town.

PAGE 5

Emergency housing

FRIENDS are rallying round to help the family of a former soldier from Yate who urgently needs a heart transplant.

Phill Hardwell, above, was waiting for a heart transplant at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge as the Voice went to press, having suffered multiple organ failure in December.

The 32-year-old's wife, Roxy, has given up work to be at his bedside.

Friends have rallied round to support the family both emotionally and financially, with thousands raised from donations and fundraising events, of which more are planned this month.

Turn to page 3

A PROJECT to house nine families in need of emergency accommodation is set to be built in Yate.

PAGE 4

Honour for Geoff A CHOIR'S musical director has been recognised for his lifelong services to music.

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Music festival cancelled

March deadline

Our March edition deadline is February 19.

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February, 2020

A NEW music festival planned for Yate this year has been cancelled.

Organisers said a "series of unforeseen circumstances" had led to the cancellation of the Good Times Music Festival, a two-day event planned for May 23-24.

Yate Town FC had been set as the venue for the tribute festival, which had already confirmed a series of leading tribute acts including QE2, Absolute Bowie, Pure Jovi, Kingz of Leon, Foo Fighterz, Good Vibrations and The Blues Others, as well as local covers band For The Record.

Organising committee chair James Murden said: "It is with deep regret that we are cancelling the planned music festival at Yate Town Football Club.

"There has been brilliant support from the local community and we are truly grateful but a series of unforeseen circumstances have meant that we can't deliver what we had promised in time for May 2020.

"We hope to be back with a bang in the future. Everyone that bought tickets has been sent an email and is being automatically refunded back to their original payment method."

81-year-old's purse stolen POLICE want to trace these three people after an 81-year-old woman's purse was stolen before her bank card was used to fund a shopping spree.

The Avon and Somerset force has released CCTV pictures of people they want to trace in connection with the incident, which happened between midday and 1pm on November 27 in Yate Shopping Centre.

Around an hour later, between 1.45pm and 2pm, one of the stolen bank cards was used in several shops in Keynsham.

Anyone who recognises the man or the women in the pictures should call the police on 101, quoting crime reference number 5219 276 415, or get in touch online.

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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February, 2020

n NEWS From page 1 Phill was in the Royal Artillery for 12 years, including two tours in Afghanistan, before he was given an honourable discharge on medical grounds.

He met Roxy in 2016 and they were married last summer, but they had to cancel their honeymoon because Phill was too unwell. Phill has two young children, one from a previous marriage and another with Roxy.

Phill developed ARVC (arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy), which is a disease of the heart muscle, with his health suddenly deteriorating last spring. He was unable to take up a new job or help around the house with the children and the dog, and everything was left to Roxy, who worked full time.

Roxy said that at first they were given a booklet about the condition and told to carry on as normal, until the effects started to take their toll.

Phill was fitted with a pacemaker to prevent sudden cardiac death and put on the transplant list but his condition worsened, and he was admitted to the Bristol Heart Institute. In December, at Roxy’s insistence, he was moved to the Royal Papworth Hospital, a specialist

Phill in his Royal Artillery uniform

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' We hope he can receive the transplant he desperately needs' heart and lung hospital, where he suffered multiple organ failure.

There has been a huge medical effort to keep him alive as he fights hard to get fit enough to be able to have the heart transplant he urgently needs.

Roxy has given up work to be with him, while the children are cared for in Yate.

She said: “I never for one moment thought I would be thinking I’d be hitting my 30’s possibly a widow. It hasn’t changed my love for Phill but it has made life very difficult and stressful.

"Phill’s illness has meant every little thing has to be thought out.

“The risk of Phill having a heart attack or a cardiac arrest in front of the kids was a constant, something that never leaves the back of your mind. Having our friends there, just a phone call away, at any time, day or night, and still there now, to give me or Phill or even the kids (help) we so desperately need was and is fantastic.

"Having our friends come together to support us with fundraising has truly meant the world to all of us. It has meant we have been able to spend the time as a family at home, it has taken the stress off of my shoulders about where the extra income will come in to support us while Phill can’t work so we can keep a roof over our heads.

Phill and Roxy on their wedding day I will never be able to repay any of them, they are so dear to our hearts. They aren’t just friends, they are family.”

Jack Kelley and Bradley Hackett are among a group of lifelong friends who have already raised thousands to help with the family’s living costs.

A race night, auction and donations raised £8,500 to pay for living costs last year.

Thousands more have been raised already this year, including more than £1,000 raised by Yate RFC veterans/ social side Yate Yaks in a charity rugby match in early January.

The match drew a large crowd and a raffle, donations, sponsorship and an auction took the total raised to £1,005 to help Phill.

Jack and Bradley are now organising a charity football match at Chipping Sodbury Football Club on February 2, to further boost the fundraising.

Many of Phill's friends play

football as a hobby and Chipping Sodbury Town Football Club have donated their facilities for free. The fundraiser, featuring teams of Bristol City supporters vs Bristol Rovers supporters, kicks off at noon.

Jack said: “A small group of Phill’s friends noticed that both he and Roxy were struggling and decided we needed to help in some way. As none of us are doctors or cardiologists, we felt the only way we could help that would make a real difference would be financially through fundraising.

“Our one hope is that Phill, with the support of Roxy and Papworth, can get fit enough to receive the heart transplant he so desperately needs and make a good recovery, so he can get back to living a normal life and see his young children grow up.”

To donate to the cause, visit www.gofundme.com/f/ phillhardwellcharityracenight.

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February, 2020

n NEWS

Emergency housing project for garages site A PROJECT to house nine families in need of emergency accommodation is set to be built in Yate.

South Gloucestershire Council wants to save money on the cost of putting dozens of people who suddenly find themselves homeless into temporary bed and breakfast accommodation by providing its own homes.

Cabinet members are expected to agree to use land behind the shops in Cranleigh Court Road, currently occupied by derelict garages, for the development.

At present there is no emergency accommodation in the town and families are sent outside the area, including into Bristol.

Councillor Brian Hopkinson (Con, Bradley Stoke Central) said the pilot project would test how well the idea could work elsewhere and that the annual net savings to the council of

£65,000 could be multiplied by 10 if it could be replicated around the district.

He said: “The accommodation will also be closer to where people had a problem and that is incredibly important.

“We must not rest on our laurels and wait until this is built.

“If there is an opportunity for other pieces of land, we should move forward — we should not be looking at just this one scheme in Yate."

Commission chairman Ian Boulton (Lab, Staple Hill & Mangotsfield) said: “I hope this proves to be a really useful pilot scheme that can be expanded further, because it will provide greater stability to those who are at a vulnerable moment in their lives.”

But Ruth Davis (Lib Dem, Yate Central) said: “While I totally support the principle, most of the time these units will be full.

“Spaces will only become available when people move out, so while this will be in Yate I would lay money that the first people will not be from Yate: they will be the most urgent.

“Unless you have an awful lot of units, you are not going to keep people in their areas.

“I support it, but this is just a reality check.”

If cabinet gives approval, outline planning permission would be sought by May or June before the scheme goes out to tender.

The garages will be demolished to make way for the homes.

As of September 30 last year the council was paying for 86 households in temporary accommodation, of which 67 were in B&Bs. About half of the accommodation it uses is outside the area.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

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February, 2020

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n NEWS

Bypass and second station for Yate proposed A TOWN centre bypass and a second railway station in Yate are being considered by council leaders following a major report into the area’s future transport needs.

The recommendations are from a taskforce set up by South Gloucestershire Council's scrutiny commission, which spent months assessing current problems such as peak-time congestion hotspots, schemes already in the pipeline and other ideas which should be on the table.

Cabinet members have now agreed to create a cross-party group to examine the suggestions in more detail and seek the views of transport officers, town and parish councils and the local Joint Cycleways Group.

Any firm proposals would then go out to public consultation.

The task-and-finish group’s report highlighted 11 transport issues which need tackling, including the town’s bus services, the location of a proposed parkand-ride and walking and cycling infrastructure.

It said: “A route should be provided to allow through-traffic to bypass the centre of Yate, as current orbital routes feed traffic back into the centre just east of the shopping centre.

“Land should be safeguarded near the railway line in north Yate to enable the future provision of a second station for Yate.

“Reopening the right turn from Heron Way to Kennedy Way to all traffic should be

looked into. This was restricted due to a serious accident at the junction, so it would need to be done in a safe way, eg, roundabout or signalisation.

“Consideration should be given to the provision of a town centre bus shuttle service to provide links to the shopping centre and park-and-ride site.”

The report suggested this would give commercial vehicles a more direct route and two 'figure-of-eight services were needed — one east/west and the other north/south.

The report also called for bus lanes along Goose Green Way, more secure bicycle parking at the bus station and the introduction of a Yate travel pass, similar to schemes in Weston-super-Mare and Bath, which would also serve Chipping Sodbury and the surrounding villages.

“A second park-and-ride site should be considered on the other side of the town centre,

to avoid generating more traffic through the centre and on arterial routes (Goose Green Way/ Station Road)," said the report.

“This should be either to the north or east of the town.”

At present, locations west of Yate have been identified for a park-and-ride, which drivers would use to park and catch a bus into Yate, Bristol or other areas, and work is taking place to establish a business case for the most suitable.

Council leader Toby Savage announced £3.5million of West of England Combined Authority money for the scheme last June.

The scrutiny commission task group’s report also asked for a review of traffic signal timings on Station Road to reduce lengthy delays at Longs Drive and Cranleigh Court Road.

On walking and cycling infrastructure, it said: “A route from development areas in north Yate to the Link Road side of

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the shopping centre should be a priority for improvement.”

The report prioritised upgrading routes including Yate Common to Badminton Road, maintenance of existing markings and a cycleway/path from Iron Acton to Yate.

Underpasses should be replaced with crossings, it said.

“Inclusion of electric vehicle charging points at the shopping centre, park-and-ride sites and rail station should be a priority,” the report added.

A four-hour waiting limit at town centre car parks “should remain a priority to be implemented once mitigating measures are in place”.

Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young presented the report to cabinet on January 13 on behalf of Yate North ward councillor Mike Drew.

She said: “Yate is an area that has seen a huge amount of growth already.

“It is really key that we have early engagement with everyone involved in the town and the surrounding area.”

Cabinet member for planning, transport and the strategic environment Steve Reade said the report was a “valuable piece of work”.

Cabinet will report back to the scrutiny commission in three months’ time on progress and again in a year to confirm which projects it intends to pursue.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service Anger over 'appalling' bus delays: Page 10

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February, 2020

n NEWS

Musical director Geoff is honoured THE musical director of Yate Choral Society has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to music in the New Year Honours list.

Geoff Wickham, who has led the group for 48 years, feels "more than slightly overwhelmed" at receiving the accolade, which he feels he is sharing with his late wife Hazel, who died last year.

The couple were a musical team, as Hazel was an accomplished pianist and organist.

Geoff said: “My wife died last year, and both of us have been at Yate Choral Society for 48 years, so I feel she deserved it as much as I did. I eventually did discover who had nominated me and they had nominated her as well. It takes some time, and by the time it came through she was dead, so as far as I’m concerned, I’m sharing it with her.”

Yate Choral Society chair Wully Perks said: “Geoff has

Yate Mayor Karl Tomasin with Geoff Wickham and members of Yate Choral Society. spent years bringing joy to so many folk over the years. He is certainly worthy of the honour bestowed on him. He is greatly respected in our choir and greatly loved.”

Geoff describes music as his passion and says it has been easy to spend 48 years with Yate

Choral Society.

He said: “It’s a love of music on the one hand and working with the people on the other."

Together Geoff and Hazel, who were both teachers, were the pianist and conductor for the Bristol Cathedral School Choral Society, which Geoff still

conducts today. Hazel was the conductor of the Bristol Ladies Choir, and the pianist for Bristol Opera, which Geoff conducted several times. Geoff was previously the musical director of the Bristol Catholic Players for 14 years and conducted the Bristol Musical Comedy Club for four years.

Geoff says that Yate Choral Society should take some of the credit for his award because it is "lively, well-run and friendly".

It also has plenty of singers, including, unusually, enough tenors. Geoff said: “It is thriving – people are realising that singing is good for you, good for your lungs, and a very good social life.”

Geoff will receive his medal later this year.

Yate Choral Society’s next concert is on May 16 at St Mary’s Church in Yate. For more details visit their website www. yatechoralsociety.co.uk.

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February, 20207

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New Head joins Royal High School

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February, 2020

n NEWS

Extra surgery appointments as NHS feels the winter pressure SURGERIES are providing extra appointments as the NHS tries to cope with increased levels of illness over the winter.

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is responsible for paying for health services in the area, says GP practices across its area are providing a total of 7,000 hours more for appointments over the four months to the end of February.

It comes as Bristol’s hospitals reported that mounting pressures over the winter meant they were failing to meet targets to see emergency patients within four hours and waiting times for planned treatment were rising: at Southmead Hospital one in four emergency patients waited more than four hours for treatment in

December.

The CCG says that in South Gloucestershire, the number of hours available for appointments across all surgeries had been increased by 263 per month, the equivalent of 11 extra days of surgery opening.

But the time patients wait to have an appointment varies considerably between practices.

According to the NHS GP Patient Survey for 2019, 78% of patients at Wellington Road Surgery were able to book a same-day appointment, 12% waited more than a day but less than a week and just 7% waited for a week or more.

Figures for Yate’s West Walk Surgery showed 25% of patients were able to book a same-day appointment, 21% waited between a day and just under a

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week, while 46% waited a week or more.

At Kennedy Way Surgery, 74% of patients were able to book a same-day appointment, 14% had to wait between a day and a week and just 9% waited a week or more.

At Courtside Surgery, 28% of patients received a sameday appointment, 31% waited between a day and a week and 28% waited more than a week.

Figures for Leap Valley Surgery in Downend, which includes Yate’s Abbotswood Surgery, showed just 7% of patients had a same-day appointment, while 27% waited more than a day but less than a week and 62% waited a week or more.

Some patients responding to the survey couldn't remember the length of their wait.

A spokesperson for the CCG said more evening and weekend appointments were being provided to make things more convenient for patients and relieve pressure on busy hospitals.

He added: “Many practices are also embracing digital ways of serving patients, allowing patients to reorder prescriptions,

access self-care advice, and book appointments through the NHS app. Some are also offering an online consultation service for their patients.

"We’re also planning to work with practices to pilot and evaluate video consultations in 2020, and provide this as an option for practices to use in 2021.

“There are preventative steps the public can take to stay well this winter, avoiding a trip to a GP or other urgent care service altogether. Actions as simple as keeping warm, getting a flu vaccination and visiting a local community pharmacist at the first sign of illness all contribute to staying healthy.”

A CCG governing body meeting in January heard hospitals including the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Southmead were "enormously pressured" over Christmas and New Year, with demand at A&E growing at a "really significant rate" and 19 people currently waiting more than a year for planned surgery.

PUCKLECHURCH PARISH COUNCIL Pucklechurch Parish Council is inviting contractors to tender for a two-year contract (with the potential to extend for a further year) for: • Grounds maintenance, • Maintenance of play areas, • Maintenance of other parish owned assets, • Other duties associated with maintaining the parish environment.

Please see the parish council website http://pucklechurchparishcouncil.weebly.com/ for further details or contact the parish clerk, email: parish.council@pucklechurch.org or telephone 07525 842095.

Closing date for tender submissions 5pm on 7th February 2020.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020

9

n NEWS

Coach Ryan is one of Britain's strongest men A YATE strongman has taken on the best in the country, competing in Britain’s Strongest Man 2020.

Ryan England competed in front of 8,000 people at the Fly DSA Arena in Sheffield in his first taste of the event.

And while an injury in one of the events meant he wasn't able to compete at full capacity, Ryan has told his fans there is much more to come in the future.

When he isn't lifting huge weights and carrying vehicles around Ryan is also a youth coach for Yate Rugby Club.

The competition on January 18-19 featured five challenges: the Log Lift Ladder, where five logs have to be lifted; the Axle Deadlift, which involves lifting 330kg weights repeatedly; the ‘duck walk and loading race’ where competitors carry a 200kg weight across the track, then sprint back for a 150kg keg, then a 120kg sack followed by a 115kg

Ryan England lifts a 350kg quad bike during the Britain's Strongest Man event tyre; the Conans Wheel, when the athlete must lift a frame carrying a 350kg quad bike and

walk as far as they can hold out and finally lifting huge Atlas stones.

The line up was strong, featuring Wales Strongest Man – Ben ‘the Badger’ Brunning, Ireland’s Strongest Man – Pa O’Dwyer and Scotland’s Strongest Man – Tom Stoltman, with English competitor Adam Bishop lifting the overall crown.

Ryan said: “I really enjoyed competing at the highest level domestically.

"I was going well in the first two events but picked up an injury to my ribs in the loading race, which made it hard to compete at full capacity in the next two events (Conans wheel and Atlas stones) but I battled on until the end, as it's not in my nature to quit.

"The crowd and my fans were fantastic, it was a great atmosphere. I placed 12 out of 13 in one of the strongest line ups in British history.”

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10

February, 2020

n NEWS

'Appalling' delays are ruining bus services THE boss of the area's biggest bus operator has apologised to Yate commuters and made a scathing attack on traffic problems which are causing services to run up to an hour late.

First West of England managing director James Freeman says "appalling" delays on the Avon Ring Road have left services using the road "utterly gummed up" since the start of the year.

And he admits passengers can be forgiven "for thinking we're useless" as heavily delayed buses become overcrowded, leaving them unable to pick up passengers at many stops.

Mr Freeman said travel times for services using the A4174, which is subject to changes at the Hambrook junction to and from Winterbourne as well as delays from major new roadworks at Stoke Gifford, had been up to an hour longer at rush hour since the turn of the year.

Among First's services

First West of England managing director James Freeman. affected by the delays are the Yate to Bristol Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4 services.

Mr Freeman said more than £10 million had recently been spent on new buses, on top of the £230 million cost of metrobus routes.

But he warned: "It’s largely wasted if we can’t run the service

properly or at all.

"In the meantime, we must offer our riders, not just on metrobus but on the many other routes that are affected, especially from Thornbury and Bradley Stoke, Yate and Emersons Green, a most sincere and heartfelt apology if you have been affected this week. My fear

is that, despite our attempts at mitigation, these problems will repeat next week and the week after, and on until half term!"

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “With major new housing and business development planned in the area we are investing £160 million over four years on a number of highway improvement schemes to reduce congestion and emissions, improve cycling and pedestrian routes and make sustainable transport a more attractive option. We are working to minimise any disruption by keeping traffic moving where possible and carrying out work by narrowing lanes and only closing lanes at off-peak times.

We are continuing to monitor and evaluate the impact of this work and have postponed, combined or brought forward some schemes, but unfortunately some disruption will be caused and we sincerely apologise to anyone affected.”

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020

11

n NEWS

Chief is the champ in agility contest THERE were bright lights, TV cameras and a crowd of 10,000 cheering him on – but Chief took it all in his stride.

The border collie, who trains with his owner Mark Douglas in Iron Acton, was the only competitor to achieve a clear run at the Kennel Club Olympia Novice Dog Agility final in London.

Mark has had Chief, who is five years old, since he was a puppy.

He said: “I’m amazed to be honest, truly amazed – I thought there were a lot of very, very good dogs. There were some that are quicker but he was the most accurate on the day – it’s about who goes clear and who’s the fastest going clear.

“My goal for the year was to get him to go to Olympia, it’s the main goal for any dog in the UK. Getting him there was a huge bonus: it’s a long arduous road to the qualifiers and then on to the final, and of the thousands

of dogs that take part in the qualifiers, it’s down to just eight in the final.”

It was Mark’s 11th time competing at Olympia but the first time for Chief, whose kennel name is Cories Chief Paleface at Starsofmars.

The atmosphere is more challenging compared to smaller competitions because of the huge, noisy venue.

Chief has had a difficult journey to the top, because Mark had a two-year break following an operation when he couldn’t run, making it extremely difficult to compete. He then went through a divorce, which had an impact as the 12 dogs he and his ex-wife had owned together were registered jointly with the Kennel Club. Mark and Chief couldn’t compete at Kennel Club events until this was resolved last year.

Mark started agility training with his first dog in 1996 because it was "something fun to do".

Mark Douglas with his champion dog, Chief He now hires an equestrian centre in Winterbourne for training sessions a couple of times a week.

He said: “It’s rewarding – it is keeping them active, it keeps the handler active, the bond between the dog and the handler develops, it’s a proper team.

“It’s the fastest growing dog sport in the world. It’s open to all. A 3 or 4 year old can run with a dog and there’s pensioners and beyond who compete at agility.

People with physical disabilities

Chief in action

and mental health issues can do it too.”

Mark last won the ABC event at Crufts in 2011, and he’s competed there seven times, with three overall wins and a 3rd place. He’s participated at Olympia 11 times with 3 wins, a 2nd and 3rd, has represented Team GB at the European Open and World Championships, and has competed at the World Agility Open, winning a Gold, Silver and a Bronze Medal.

Watchdog upholds complaint over 'extortionate' council fees SOUTH Gloucestershire Council "caused an injustice" to a homeowner who was charged almost £7,000 in legal and survey fees after initially giving an estimate of just £750.

The woman complained to the Local Government Ombudsman saying the bill, to lift a restrictive planning condition on her property so she could sell it, was “extortionate”.

It was upheld by the ombudsman who ruled the local authority was at fault for causing her an injustice.

The council has now agreed to reduce the costs to just over £3,000.

A report issuing the findings criticised the council for not telling the householder about the huge hike and “not taking into account that (she) is not a commercial developer, but an individual in difficult financial

circumstances”.

The ombudsman also said it was “concerned” that the organisation had “penalised her for complaining” by charging the woman for officer time to deal with it.

The woman, who was not named in the report, was given the £750 estimate for council costs in February 2017, in a letter which said "that the actual costs would be subject to review".

More than two years later the council wrote again, stating that the estimated legal fees were now £3,729 and added surveyor’s fees were £3,184.

The ombudsman said: “I also consider the council has penalised her for complaining as it has charged her for the involvement of the legal department in the complaints process.

“I note it has removed the cost of the legal

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

time for responding to my enquiries, but I am concerned that the officer time involved in dealing with any aspect of the complaint was included at all.

“It also seems harsh to use its current hourly rate for work carried out two years ago when its rate was significantly lower."

After agreeing to review the charges, including reducing them by a further £250 for distress caused, the local authority’s final bill for legal fees in removing the restrictive covenant was cut to £2,272.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesperson said: “We acknowledge and accept the findings of the ombudsman.”

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

12

n NEWS

Shake-up of council care fees

Operation clean up MORE than 30 volunteers collected over 25 bags of rubbish in just one hour in Chipping Sodbury after a group was set up to clean the place up.

The council provided litter pickers and bags for the volunteers, who met on January 19 on the footpath between Scott Way and Raysfield School in the town.

It was the first meet up for a new group, Sodbury and Yate Clean Up, set up by resident Sarah White, who said: “A simple act of collecting a small amount of litter and putting it in the bin can help our environment and community so much, and also leaves us feeling good!”

The group has agreed to meet up for just one hour a month to make a difference in their local environment.

Sarah set up the group to encourage people to "lead by example", pick up litter and share photos on Facebook to encourage others.

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CHANGES to the fees charged to people who have to pay for their own adult social care are being planned by South Gloucestershire Council.

The council has launched a consultation on the changes, which will see new charges of up to £295 introduced for some people, as well as changes in rates which would see some going up and others coming down.

The changes affect people who fully fund their own adult social care and have over £23,250 in savings (not including their home).

At the moment there are three different rates available for day care: £171.30 per day for Learning Disability care, £96.30 day rate for Dementia day care and a £66.20 day rate for specialist day care.

The council is proposing that these should be replaced with just one day rate of £96.30 - a cut of £75 for some services but a rise of £30 for others.

There are currently 351 people using these services and the council says it has identified 11 people currently using services who would end up paying more - around 3% of the total. The consultation document says: “In a year there are around 120 new clients who start new community based services; with the 3% estimation taken from the current cohort this equates to around four people per year who could be affected by this change.”

The other proposal would introduce a fee for around 100 people who pay for their own care and ask the council to arrange it for them.

There would be an initial administrative fee of £295, an annual administrative fee of £75, and a one-off fee of £295 as a ‘mid-year provision’ change, if people choose to change their provider for a reason not related to their needs.

The council believes this would affect under 100 people out of the 1,000 currently receiving and paying for community care.

Cabinet councillor Ben Stokes said the changes were needed to "keep up with rising demand and costs" and that although more investment has been made into adult social care, "demand continues to grow".

He added: “Simplifying the system will make it easier to understand for residents who use it; and charging a transparent and fixed fee for arranging care for those who choose will allow us to focus our resources on those who most need our help and support.”

The council says the changes will not affect anyone already using council services.

The consultation runs until March 17 and more information can be found at the consultation section of the council website.

If approved, the new arrangements would come into effect on June 1 2020.

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14

February, 2020

n NEWS

£100,000 developer cash for sport and play in Yate YATE Outdoor Sports Centre and Millside Play Zone are set to receive an investment of more than £100,000.

The money will come from funds paid by developers to South Gloucestershire Council as part of planning deals, the council's leader, Toby Savage, has announced.

At the YOSC £57,618 will pay for new track and field equipment for disabled athletes, and for drainage improvements to the grass pitches. Millside Park Zone gets £45,155 to build a new play unit and expand a sculpture trail. The idea is to create a play feature by adding wood carvings and interpretation boards to help children learn about nature as they play.

The total of £102,773 is due to come from the Amberley Lodge development in Broad Lane.

Mr Savage said: “I am delighted that we have been able to negotiate this funding and propose to invest it in a way that

Council leader Toby Savage at the Yate Outdoor Sports Complex is going to make a difference to keeping our community active.

“With the Olympics and Paralympics only months away, I hope many will find themselves inspired to take up a new sport or activity and this funding will give many more the opportunity regardless of ability.

“Last year, South Gloucestershire Council, like many other local authorities, declared a climate emergency,

and it is important we educate children about the importance of the natural environment and why it is worth protecting.

That is why I am pleased these planned upgrades to Millside Play Zone will help them learn while they play.”

Chris Wilmore, the chair of the YOSC project Board, said the YOSC had not yet received official confirmation.

He said: “We knew South

Gloucestershire officers were recommending support for our bid to help disabled athletes and improve drainage of pitches, but the bid has not yet been decided. Toby Savage is jumping the gun in saying the money has actually been awarded, but we are grateful for his support for our work and our bid. We look forward to getting confirmation that we are actually getting this money from the developers via South Gloucestershire Council.

“I am incredibly grateful to the staff who have worked so hard preparing bids, to enable us to convince funders to support the amazing work at YOSC.” Yate Town Council is also raising funds to build a multi use activity building for boxers and other sports groups. It has just heard that it has provisionally been allocated £100,000 from an external organisation and this will mean that work can now begin.

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February, 2020

yate&sodburyvoice

15

n NEWS

Dave's over the moon as restaurant opens A POPULAR chef who had a lung transplant his opened his pop-up restaurant on a permanent basis.

Dave Lawrence, who originally made his name cooking Mexican food at a Chipping Sodbury restaurant, has opened his new venture full-time, exactly 11 months after having a lung transplant.

His partner, Shamsi Kabbara, who has been at his side through some extremely tough times during his illness and surgery, has joined him in the kitchen, and the couple said they were "over the moon" at how their first week had gone.

Just over a year ago Dave was hit with a double blow, being taken ill and losing his job when the town’s Mexican restaurant Amigos closed within the space of a few weeks. He was told he needed a lung transplant and taken to hospital, seriously ill. Members of the Chipping Sodbury community rallied round, raising money to help pay their living costs as Shamsi, who has a health condition herself, cared for Dave.

The couple were approached by the Royal Oak Pub to open a new business, and this remained their dream as Dave was admitted first to Southmead Hospital and then to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. His lung transplant was followed by stomach surgery, and at the end of the year he was called back into the QEH urgently due to concerns about his kidneys. Fortunately he was given the all-clear.

On the Facebook blog that she has written about their journey,

Shamsi has looked back at how things were.

She said: “No one can envisage what being in that position is like – I was an uncontrollable crying mess, thinking it was the end. Dave has no idea even now how seriously ill he actually was. He used to get angry with me crying, so I had to hide and cry. When he was in the high dependence bay, I used to step out into the corridor to cry, thinking I was protecting him by not crying in front of him – little did I know he could see me in the reflection of the glass door.”

At the start of a new year, with new business the Two Amigos trading at the Royal Oak in Chipping Sodbury, Shamsi is feeling hopeful about the future.

She said: “I walk into the restaurant, look around and tears fill my eyes because I’m just so happy at how everything has

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The couple say they have been "blown away" by the continued support from people in the town.

One woman was so worried about Dave cooking on his own on a Saturday night, that she came in to help him.

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16

February, 2020

n NEWS

Scheme helps children learn financial sense A YATE primary school is taking part in a scheme involving one of the major high street banks to help children learn how to manage their money.

St Paul’s Catholic Primary School in Sundridge Park has been picked for the NatWest MoneySense School Accreditation programme, which helps teach pupils how to manage their finances and not fall victim to scams.

A team of volunteers has held workshops at the school.

A spokesperson for NatWest MoneySense said: “There is a vital window of opportunity to teach young people between the ages of 5 to 18 about money, and transform their future financial health and that of our communities and society.”

Research for NatWest carried out by Censuswide in 2016 showed that more than half of children worried that about their lack of financial knowledge and almost two thirds of parents worried that their children would grow up without knowing how to manage money.

St Paul's co-deputy head Ann Marie Feldman said: “It was great to have the MoneySense volunteers along to help

demonstrate some of the frauds and scams that exist and how the children can protect themselves.

"The children all had a great time taking part in the lesson and figuring out the

different clues. Teaching young people about money is one of the most important things you can do to equip them for success in the future, and it’s never too early to start.”

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February, 2020

yate&sodburyvoice

17

n NEWS

How you can help turn this tree into art

A STORM-damaged tree in a popular park is set to be transformed into a work of art.

People will have the chance to help secure funding for the project to turn the remains of the tree in Kingsgate Park after the park's friends group had a bid accepted to be part of the Tesco Bags of Help Scheme.

Customers are given tokens when they make a purchase and are given a choice of schemes to support – and the money is shared out between good causes according to how much support customers gave them.

The tree, which was damaged two years ago, will be carved by Andy O’Neil, a wood sculptor and local craftsman. People using the park will be able to watch Andy at work and the Friends of Kingsgate Park hope that when finished it will be an educational talking point.

Andy will also include suggestions for carving designs collected from visitors.

The park also now features brand new outdoor gym equipment, which was paid for from funds paid to South Gloucestershire Council by developers who make contributions to offset any impact of new building projects on the local area.

Kingsgate Park is popular with families from Yate and Chipping Sodbury, but some

Sculptor Andy O'Neil and Friends of Kingsgate Park with the tree which is set to be carved into a sculpture. travel from much further away.

Last year it was one of only four parks in the South West to win ‘Much Loved’ status in a UK wide competition by the charity Fields in Trust.

Since 2011 it has received awards from the RHS South West in Bloom, with the highest

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award possible, Level 5 Outstanding, given every year from 2013 onwards.

People can put their blue tokens in the box as part of Tesco Bags to Help at the Station Road Express, Brimsham Park Express and Yate Extra from now until March 31.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

18

February, 2020

n STROUD AUCTION ROOMS

Global bidders vie for furniture and photos

I

F THE dazzling January sale is any indication, 2020 is going to be another brilliant year for Stroud Auction Rooms.

First of all, the highest selling lot - a pair of 19th century French Boulle cabinets with unusual blue panels - had an unprecedented eight phone bidders competing with those online and in the room, before they were eventually sold for a pleasing £10,000.

Then, a Japanese Meiji period fine silk embroidered panel depicting a Pekingese dog and peacock feathers, pictured, went under the hammer for £5,900, which is believed to be the highest price paid for a panel of that type. The panel was made by Iida Shinshichi, one of the leading Japanese producers of ornamental textiles at the time.

But maybe the icing on the cake were the early 20th century Edwardian photograph albums compiled by and featuring David Dewer McNeil, of Orkney (18731951), which seemed to grab

the interest of bidders across the globe. The albums, which included many large format images, mainly contained photographs of every day life in Africa and the Canary Islands, and made £5,800.

Although somewhat surprised that the albums had caused so much enthusiasm, owner and auctioneer Nick Bowkett added: "But we should also ask, how many similar items of that quality and interest are out there?"

In an auction offering so many outstanding lots across the board, a large quantity of Peter Gabriel ephemera drew an exceptionally good response. The pieces, relating to his early years from Charterhouse School through to his bands M'Lords and Genesis, included letters, documents and handwritten embryonic lyrics, among other fascinating ephemera, and eventually sold for £3,000.

Also featuring on the list of top sellers were several lots of stamps and playing cards. Among

them was a good collection in two stockbooks of mint commemorative stamp sets, mainly George V and early Elizabeth II (£2,500), and a 19th century pack of playing cards, with square corners and non-standard named Spanish court cards (£1,300), among others.

The next auction at Stroud will be on February 5 and 6 (10am), with specialist sections for guns, weapons, medals, militaria, taxidermy, sporting, toys, cameras, weights and scales and scientific instruments. Viewing will be on Tuesday, February 4 (10am-7pm) and from 9am on sale days.

Entries are currently being invited for the March auction of jewellery, watches, silver, clocks, coins, textiles, motoring & transport. The deadline or entries is the February 8 but, as it’s a popular auction, it's best to bring items as soon as possible. Free valuations are every Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday morning 9am-12.30pm, with no appointment needed.

This Japanese Meiji silk embroidered panel sold for £5,900 For more information about any aspect of buying or selling with Stroud Auction Rooms, ring 01453 873800, email info@stroudauctions. com or visit the website at www. stroudauctions.co.uk.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020

n NEWS

Regional master plan dumped as councils go it alone SOUTH Gloucestershire Council will abandon a blueprint for 105,000 homes across the West of England, it has been confirmed.

Council leader Toby Savage told a cabinet meeting that the authority would formally withdraw from the Joint Spatial Plan at its next full meeting.

It follows years of costly cross-border collaboration between the council and neighbouring Bristol, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset, which ended with the JSP in tatters when planning inspectors rejected it last summer.

The government officials admonished the four organisations for trying to make the evidence fit into their housing, jobs and infrastructure strategy for the next two decades, rather than being led by it, and ordered them to go back to the drawing board.

The blueprint included 12

strategic development locations, which would each have had hundreds of new homes built on them, including at Yate and Coalpit Heath.

North Somerset Council and B&NES have also said they will withdraw from the JSP. Conservative Mr Savage told fellow South Gloucestershire cabinet members on January 13: “We will need to continue working jointly with our neighbouring authorities, not least because of the legal duty to cooperate but also, in the case of Bristol and B&NES, we work together through the West of England Combined Authority.

“In terms of the split between what will sit in any new strategiclevel document and what will sit within our own local plan, that is still to be discussed and decided.

“The offer continues to be open through the policy advisory group (PAG) process to ensure opposition members have the opportunity to engage and

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

participate."

At a council meeting last year, opposition Labour group leader Pat Rooney said her party would no longer take part in cross-party talks through the PAG because “all trust had broken down” with the Tory administration as a result of previous decisions arising from PAG discussions.

At January's meeting, Liberal Democrat group leader Claire Young said: “In terms of the PAG, we have not seen proposed terms of reference about what these arrangements would be.

“It would be helpful to see those in writing before we move any further forward.”

The West of England Combined Authority is continuing work on its Joint Local Transport Plan, which was meant to run alongside the JSP.

A Weca spokesperson said: “Weca remains committed to working with the four West of England councils on the best way forward for the region to positively address its strategic planning needs.

“Weca and the councils will be jointly commissioning a refresh of the strategic evidence base.”

By Stephen Sumner, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020

21

n NEWS

Turning your old plastic bags into oil A PROJECT to turn plastic bags, cling film, sweet wrappers and pet food pouches collected at a supermarket into oil has had an "overwhelming response" from shoppers.

Tesco Extra in Yate was one of ten shops in the region where shoppers were invited to bring in the soft plastic waste, which is not recycled in kerbside collections.

Swindon firm Recycling Technologies will now turn the waste back into oil, so it can be used for new plastics, creating what’s called a ‘circular economy’.

The company has now collected enough material to start the pilot project and does not need any more plastic at present.

But Tesco will carry on collecting soft plastics for recycling, with a new partner to be announced later.

Tesco, which already collected plastic bags at some stores,

Left: The plant where bags collected at Tesco in Yate will be recycled. Above: Sacks of soft plastic collected in the trial

announced the initiative last April, adding a variety of other plastics including crisp packets, soft drink pouches and yoghurt tubes to the list of items that could be recycled.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “As part of our ambition for a closed loop packaging system, we carried out a trial with Recycling Technologies last year to collect

The oils created from plastic waste which can be used in new plastic production

soft plastic in ten of our stores in the Bristol and Swindon area. The response from our customers was overwhelmingly positive which is why we have decided to continue accepting soft plastics at these trial locations.”

Tesco says it is making plastic waste a priority, removing plastic packaging from some items it sells in store, and promising that all remaining packaging will be recyclable by 2025. At present, 83% of its packaging is recyclable.

The supermarket says it may work with Recycling Technologies again in the future.

Recycling Technologies has developed and patented a process to turn waste plastic back into a type of oil it calls Plaxx, which can be used in the manufacture of new plastic.

Chief executive Adrian Griffiths said: “The trials have highlighted how much demand there is for recycling soft plastic

bags, films and laminated crisp packets and pouches.

"Tesco has taken a positive and important first step to show that technologies exist to recycle these valuable soft plastic materials.

"There is an opportunity to highlight these solutions to the waste management industry so that more urgently-needed recycling capacity is built to meet demand.”

Recycling Technologies was impressed by the level of engagement from the public and said that only 2% of the waste collected was made from non-plastic materials, enabling the majority to be used for its scheme. It refers to the recycling of soft plastics as the ‘missing piece of the jigsaw’ for consumers.

Other Tesco stores involved included the Staple Hill Metro, the Lime Trees Road Superstore in Horfield, Brislington Extra, Bristol East Extra in Eastville and the Keynsham Superstore.

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Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

22

February, 2020

n LOCAL MP

Free swimming will help pregnant women

A

S a father to two young children, I know how important it is to feel you are doing everything possible to give your family the best start in life.

In the summer, I teamed up with local mums, dads and families to push the council to create a new scheme, offering free swimming to local expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy.

After months of campaigning, I am delighted to inform Voice readers that from February 1 this year, pregnant women living in South Gloucestershire will now have access to free swimming.

This free service will now be offered in every single Active Leisure Centre across South Gloucestershire, in Yate, Bradley Stoke, Kingswood, Longwell Green and Thornbury.

To take part, expecting

mums must simply present their Maternity Exemption Certificate, which is supplied by their doctor or midwife, and proof of address before their first session.

Delivering this promise of free swimming has been an incredibly important objective in my Positive Plan for Schools and Family Life here in South Gloucestershire. The idea for such an initiative came from new research, which demonstrates the huge benefits of exercise, and in particular swimming, for pregnant women.

The Royal College of Midwifery welcomed reports from NHS England, as well as recommendations from the Government’s Chief Medical Officer, who advised parents to aim for 150 minutes a week of moderate physical activity during pregnancy. Swimming is widely recognised as a low-impact

method of aerobic exercise, and is particularly good for pregnant women, as it can be performed safely in all three trimesters.

It has numerous benefits specifically for pregnant women, such as preventing diabetes during pregnancy, reducing the need for caesarean sections, improved fitness and reducing high blood pressure. Swimming can also have a long-term effect on a child’s development beyond birth, with further research suggesting that it has a potential for improving the mental and physical health of children well into adulthood.

The news is a great step forward in achieving the first stage of my Positive Plan to improve Family Life. I will now push for ensuring that other aspects of this plan see the same success for our schools, by building two new primary

Luke Hall MP writes for Yate & Sodbury Voice schools in Yate, rebuilding Castle School and upgrading schools throughout South Gloucestershire and improving special educational needs and disabilities provision, including better equipment for deaf children.

For further information on the scheme, please do not hesitate to email me at luke.hallmp@ parliament.uk, where I shall be happy to help.

New Home for Yate Amateur Boxing Club in YOSC Multi-Activity Building Work to Start in Spring 2020 GOOD news for local sports groups this month. Work is starting in February to build a new home for Yate Amateur Boxing Club (YABC) and should be completed by the end of June.

Yate Town Council (YTC) has been working with the boxing club to design and raise the cash for a new Multi Activity Community Building. It will mean that more boxers of all ages, including women and para boxers, will be able to use the larger facilities.

The boxing club’s current home - a South Gloucestershire Council terrapin - is unfit for use and is deteriorating; there is no heating and the space is inadequate for the boxing club’s needs. Yate Town Council stepped in to work with the boxers to ensure they can carry on in Yate - and to provide a new facility that lots of other groups could use too.

The boxers are doing the internal fit-out of the new building, using

volunteer labour, and YTC is working with them to fundraise for the materials they will need - including mirrored walling and new equipment (e.g. gloves, protective equipment and punch bags).

The project will add to the £1.5m of improvements to the athletics, track, all weather and other sports facilities at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex (YOSC). If you have not been there, it is behind Brimsham Green School. Owned by the Town Council, the facility is run by a volunteer group and used by a wide range of sports clubs.

To support our local Boxing Club in cash or in kind, or if you would be interested in using the facility, please contact Yate Town Council info@ yatetowncouncil.gov.uk – Tel: 01454 866506 or call in and see us at Poole Court.

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

February, 2020

yate&sodburyvoice

23

n NEWS

Search on for new festival royalty THE search has begun for this year's Chipping Sodbury Festival Princess or Prince.

Children aged between 11 and 14 are being invited to take part in a competition win the role at this year’s festival.

Applicants must live within three miles of Chipping Sodbury and be enthusiastic to be part of the annual event, which this year will take place from June 12 to 21.

Maddy Peeling, centre, with As well as leading the attendants Samuel Parker and carnival procession on the Katie Evans, was the 2019 Chipping closing weekend of the Sodbury Festival Princess. festival, whoever is the prince or princess must be available to help host other festival events.

Two attendants are also needed, aged between nine and 11.

The deadline to apply is Saturday March 7 and judging is on Saturday March 14.

Entry forms can be requested from the Festival either via email at csfestival.adm@gmail.com or downloaded from www. chippingsodburyfestival.com.

Warning over fake £50s PUB landlords in South Gloucestershire are being urged to be on the lookout after several reports of counterfeit £50 notes.

Police say they have recently been contacted by four pubs after customers tried to pay for drinks with counterfeit notes.

Officers believe several more have been targeted but have not reported the incidents.

Avon and Somerset police issued this CCTV picture of two men wanted in connection with the incidents.

They are both described as having Irish accents and were seen leaving one of the pubs in a grey or silver van.

Sergeant Ruth Gawler said: “This appears to be part of a crime series within South Gloucestershire with forged £50 notes being handed over to staff. Several establishments have accepted the notes, while others have refused them.

“The notes appear to be genuine under ultraviolet light but we have seen several of them use the same serial number and other features of the note are faked."

The Bank of England provides security advice for businesses and police say counterfeits should be taken to the nearest police station.

Anyone who thinks they know who the men are should call 101 and quote the crime reference number 5220 011 605 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Party Packages from £449* We also cater for weddings, wakes, christenings and conferences.

*Based on a 6 piece buffet for 100 people Easily accessible, stunning location with a large free car park 2 Miles from Westerleigh along the Codrington road Competitive drink prices, Thatchers Gold £3.50 More info on our website www.theplayersgolfclub.com Contact our events co-ordinator Hayley on 01454 313029 Opt 4 or email Hayley@theplayersgolfclub.com

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

24

February, 2020

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA February 1 n Burns Night, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, with entertainment provided by RockPipes, a sevenpiece Celtic rock band. Includes piping in and address of the haggis followed by a two-course meal and some Scottish dancing. More details from Andy Warn on 07916 253267 or at www.rockpipes.co.uk.

February 11 n Yate & District Rotary Club Charity Quiz Night at Yate Academy, 7pm for 7.30pm start. £24 per team of four, including light ploughman's supper. Licensed bar. Prize and trophy for winning team. Call Marian Gilpin on 01454 321323 for more details.

February 15 n South/South West Accordion Championships, Coalpit Heath Village Hall/Miners Social Club, Badminton Road. Free concert from 3.30pm. All welcome.

Potential competitors should email Andy Coles by February 8 at AccordionSW@virginmedia.com.

February 21-22 n Severn Valley Quilters Exhibition of members work, Thornbury Methodist Church Hall, Castle Court. Friday 2-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Admission £3. Traders, sales, tombola and refreshments.

Disabled access. Proceeds to Western Air Ambulance. More details from severnvalleyquilters@ gmail.com.

February 23 n National Garden Scheme Snowdrop Festival, at Algars Manor, Station Rd and Algars Mill, Frampton End Road, Iron Acton, 1-4pm. Algars Manor features two acres of woodland garden beside River Frome, mill stream, native plants mixed with collections of 60 magnolias and 70 camellias,

Bellymixtures Dance 4 Complete Beginners LOW IMPACT EXERCISE FOR AGES 16 TO 106 TUESDAYS 6.30PM YATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, 100 STATION ROAD, YATE, BS37 4PQ. Have a wiggle and a giggle, make new friends

FFI www.Bellymixtures.Com

rhododendrons and other unusual trees and shrubs. Algars Mill features two acre woodland garden bisected by River Frome; spring bulbs, shrubs; very early spring feature (Feb-Mar) of wild Newent daffodils.

February 29 n Mum2mum Market Saturday 29th February, 10.30am-12.30pm, Yate Leisure Centre. Top quality nearly new baby and childrens equipment, toys and clothing. Contact bristol@mum2mummarket. co.uk for more information or to book a stall.

March 2 n Royal Osteoporosis Society Bristol Support Group, 1.45pm in Westbury Methodist Church Hall.

Talk by occupational therapist Maria Fitzgerald. All welcome.

For more information call 07710 743613.

March 12 n Chipping Sodbury Library: Meet the Author with Susan Lewis, 7-9pm. Tickets £3, available from Chipping Sodbury Library from early February.

REGULAR EVENTS

Monday

n Third Monday every month Frome Valley Ladies Probus 2-4pm Charter Suite, Chipping Sodbury Town Hall T 01454 316301.

Interesting Speaker each meeting, raffle, refreshments and lunches. n 1st Yate Boys brigade various activities for boys 5+ meet at Moorland road Methodist church 6.30pm. Contact Simon Crocker 01454 329017

coming along or want to volunteer contact our office on 0117 9647657 n Lunchtime folk music and song at The Beaufort Hunt pub function room, 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, start at 12.00 till 3.00, all welcome to come have a pint and a meal, sit and listen or play or sing, free entry. Contact Terry 01454 313045 n Macular-support group meets monthly - 3rd Monday 1:303:30pm at Watkins room, Old Grammar School, Highstreet Chipping Sodbury. Contact Tony: 01454314066 Stress Reduction, Mindfulness & Relaxation n Yate Men's Shed meet at Yate Parish Hall, from 1.30-4.30pm.

For further details please contact Steven Ringon 01454 323 857, or go to www.yatemensshed.com n Sodbury Short Mat Bowls Club, Old Sodbury Village Hall, 6.159pm. New members welcome, experienced or otherwise. Contact chairman Richard Gilpin on 01454 321323 or email richard_gilpin@ btconnect.com. n The Arts Society Severn Valley meets at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall, third Monday of the month.

Lecture programme, special interest days, art gallery and museum visits. Visitors £6. More details at www.svdfas.co.uk or email memb@svdfas.co.uk. n Monday Lunch Club meets at St Nicholas Church, Abbotswood, midday-1.30pm. Delicious home cooked soup and a roll, a dessert and drink for £2.50. Come and make new friends, especially if you live on your own. Tel 01454 324712 or email st.nicholas.abbotswood@ hotmail.co.uk. n Job club (drop-in), 11am-1pm,

Cranleigh Court Community Hub, Tyndale Primary School, Tyndale Avenue, Yate. Contact Chelsea Bell, Building Better Opportunities Officer, on 01454 868570 or email chelseabell@southernbrooks.org.uk. n Avon Pickleball Club play at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre from 9-11am. Indoor racquet sport combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis.

Email info@avonpickleball.club or phone 07801 715421 for more information. n LIVING WITH BACK PAIN? Try Gentle Yoga-in Led by Nazama, an experienced Yoga & Back Care Trainer Every Monday 9.30am-10.30am Trial £6.00. Masonic Hall, Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AA. Beginners welcomed. Mats available Book online or call 01454 430599 www.yoga-in.co.uk

Tuesday n Yate Art Club meet for arts, crafts and pottery on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7 pm at the Ridgewood Centre, Yate, BS37 4AF. For further information please see our website www. yateandsodburyartsociety.weebly. com or tel Roz on 0794 194 6412 n Pucklechurch Folk Dance Club.

We meet every other Tuesday at Pucklechurch Community Centre from 7.45 pm to 8.15 pm. Contact Veronica Holder – 0117 937 2818 n Frome Valley Tang Soo Do, open to adults and children 7yrs +, Wellesley Primary School, Edgeworth, Yate every Tuesday 6.45pm - 8.15pm. Contact Rachel

n Shire Way Senior Citizens Club meet every Monday afternoon at Shire Way Community Centre between 1.30pm and 4pm. Get together for tea, coffee, bingo, entertainment, raffle meet new friends , all welcome , Yate Community transport, available.

Further info 01454317866----07749712351 n Bristol Area Stroke Foundation Weekly Stroke Support Group The group has a varied programme of events and activities. Shireway Community Association, Yate BS37 8YS. Every Monday from 2pm till 4pm. If you are interested in

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020

25

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

n Art Club, Ridgewood Centre, Yate: 7pm - 9 pm http:// yateandsodburyartsociety.weebly. com. Tel Roz on 01454 316956 or 0794 194 6412 n Thornbury and South Gloucestershire Amateur Radio Club (TSGARC) we meet every Wednesday in the Buckingham Room at the Chantry in Thornbury.

Meetings usually start at 8pm We welcome new members and can train people to pass their Amateur radio Foundation and Intermediate Licences. Our website is at http:// tsgarc.uk. n Sew & Sew at Ridgewood Community Centre from 1.30pm 3.30pm at £2.00 per week. Phone

n Bellydance class with Sacha at Ridgewood Community Centre every Wednesday 7:30-8:30 (beginner/open level); 8:30-9:30 (intermediate level); £7 an hour or £12 for 2 hours. Contact Sacha for more information www. sachabellydance.co.uk sachabellydance@yahoo.co.uk

n Short Mat Bowls. A Warm

South West CAMRA Pub of the Year 2018 N FOR RE AIG

ALE AL

n Knit and Natter. Last Tuesday of the month, 7-9pm, Cranleigh Court

n Wellbeing peer support (dropin), every other Tuesday 1-2.30pm, Cranleigh Court Community Hub, Tyndale Primary School, Tyndale Avenue, Yate. Contact Kate Ross, Wellbeing Support Worker, on 07989 402871 or email kateross@ southernbrooks.org.uk Wednesday

Joan for details on 01 454 314355. n Walks for single people. Solo Rendezvous meet at Downend Cricket Club, every Wednesday, 8.30pm, entrance £3, and walk every Sunday. Please phone for walk details: 01454 775508 / 01454 774984 / 0117 9850210. n Yate/Chipping Sodbury Afternoon Choir meets on Wednesdays 2pm till 4pm at St Marys Church Yate. No auditions!

Contact Nikki on 01761 472468 for more details or just turn up at the church and have a free sing on the first visit. Look forward to seeing you!

E

EM

OU

C

n Learn traditional Japanese samurai and ninjutsu martial arts by training body, mind and spirit, with experienced and welcoming 5th Dan instructor. First class free then £6 per class (paid monthly), Tuesdays 8pm - 9:30pm, Yate Leisure Centre. Contact Michael: colbournemichael@hotmail.com

Community Hub, Tyndale Primary School, Tyndale Avenue, Yate.

Contact Lynne on 07751 818191

CAM P

contact Tony on 07704140682 or yatepoetrygroup@gmail.com n Tudor Bridge Club meets at the hall behind St Lawrence Presbytery on Broad Street, every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Contact Christine on 07876334921 n Badminton Club, 8pm at Yate Leisure Centre. People of all skill levels and abilities are more than welcome to join us. Organised by Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, office@cs-bc.org.uk, 01454 313023 n The Sodbury & District Flower Arrangement Society meets every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month at The Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury at 7.30pm. 12th March AGM - No Practice class 26th March - Demonstration by Yvonne Berry Sporting Favourites Visitors and new members very welcome - come along and see what we do.

For more details contact Rosemary Cummins Tel: 0117 9373836 n Badminton Club, 8pm at Yate Leisure Centre. People of all skill levels and abilities are more than welcome to join us. Organised by Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, office@cs-bc.org.uk, 01454 313023 n Well-being drop-in, Cranleigh Court Community Hub at Tyndale School (by Tyndale Avenue entrance), 1-2.30pm. Meet new people, learn new skills and improve your well-being through activities including arts and crafts, peer support, mindfulness workshops, healthy eating and games sessions. n Friendship & Dance for over 50s returns in 2020 with a change to 2nd TUES IN THE MONTH (except Feb): 14th Jan, 18th Feb, 10th Mar, 14th Apr, 12th May. Miners Social Club,Badminton Road, Coalpit Health, 2-4 pm. No partner needed, Gentle exercise with easy circle dances to live music.

Experienced teacher, beautiful dance floor, refreshments, friendly group.£4. More details from Hilary: 07515 351 813.

DIS

Woodford for more details on 07712 729726 n Oasis Friendship Cafe - a relaxed meeting place to come along for a chat, a listening ear and to make new friends. (Well behaved) dogs on leads also welcome! Baptist Church Hall in Chipping Sodbury.

2nd, 4th (&5th) Tuesday of the month 10.30am - 12 noon. For more information contact church office on 01454 313023 Email: office@cs-bc.org.uk n Chipping Sodbury Men's Probus.

We meet 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. 10 – 12 noon at the Townhall, Sodbury. Guest Speaker every meeting, occasional lunches, day trips. Contact George for further info. Tele: 01454 882908 n Oasis Memory Café - in partnership with the Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury and supported

by Alzheimer’s Society. Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church Hall 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month 10.30am – 12 noon For more information contact Jean on 01454 313023. Email: office@cs-bc.org.uk n Craft and Chat - a fun and friendly craft group for people of all ages and skill levels. Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month 10.30am - 12 noon Email: office@ cs-bc.org.uk n Monthly social lunchtime meet up for disabled people at the Farmhouse Pub, Wellington Road, Yate, BS37 5UY. Open and friendly group, meets first Tuesday of month 12-2pm. Part of WECIL's peer support community - 0797 962 6569. n South Cotswold Men's Probus Club based in Yate, and reputably the most active in this area, can now take a few new members.

Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Tuesday mornings each month.

Information, without obligation, from Jack on 01454 313889. n The Sodbury & District Flower Arrangement Society meets every 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month at The Old Grammar School Rooms, Chipping Sodbury at 7.30pm. 12th February - Practice - Willow basket making. 26th February - Talk on Pearls by Pam Slater. Visitors and new members very welcome come along and see what we do. n Yate Poetry Group. All welcome to join our small, informal and friendly group to share and enjoy poems and verse. We meet for an hour 1-2 pm every other Tuesday afternoon in the library, refreshments provided.

For the dates of meetings, please

NT SCH

The Fleece Inn, Chapel Lane, Hillesley GL12 7RD T: 01453 520003 | E: fleecepub@gmail.com

www.thefleecehillesley.com Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

26

February, 2020

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED welcome awaits visitors for the short matt bowls on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at St Saviours Church Hall, Coalpit Heath from 2-4pm. n Frenchay Men’s Probus Club Meetings are held in Frenchay Village Hall from 10.00 am to 12 noon on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday of the month. The meeting is preceded by coffee. www.frenchayprobusclub.com n Yate & District Townswomen’s Guild meet on the second Wednesday morning of every month in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. We have a programme of varied and interesting speakers. We are a very sociable group and offer other smaller, activity groups too.

Give us a try. Ring Rhona 01454 881532 or Christine 07811665286 n Craft group meeting in St. Mary's Church, Yate each Wednesday from 10am. Everyone welcome, we have knitters, sewers and chatters. Refreshments available for a donation. Please come in and say hello. n Blossoms play groups, 10.30amnoon, Cranleigh Court Community Hub at Tyndale School (by Tyndale Avenue entrance). Resident-run group for parents with babies and young children aged up to five years old. Call Paulina on 0759 212 8965 for more details. Old toy donations always very welcome. n Cranleigh Court Coffee Time.

9.30-11am, Cranleigh Court Community Hub at Tyndale School (by Tyndale Avenue entrance).

Resident-led group will be led by residents. Call Brian on 07780 188146 for enquiries or assistance with transport. n Coffee morning, 10am-midday, Cranleigh Court Community Hub, Tyndale Primary School, Tyndale Avenue, Yate. Contact Mike or Barry on 07780 188146 or 07890 320445. n LIVING WITH BACK PAIN? Try Gentle Yoga-in Led by Nazama, an experienced Yoga & Back Care Trainer Wednesday 9.30am-10.30am (Term Times) Trial £6.00. Masonic Hall, Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AA. Beginners welcomed. Mats available Book online or call 01454 430599 www.yoga-in.co.uk n Avon Pickleball Club play at Thornbury Leisure Centre from 10.15am-12.15pm. Indoor racquet sport combining elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. Sessions cost £2.50 for an hour or £4 for two hours. Email info@avonpickleball.club or phone 07801 715421 for more information.

n The Phoenix Art Club meets at Guinea Lane, Fishponds in the Methodist church hall every Wednesday mornings 9.30am to 12noon. We have a number of artists with a wide range of skills and interests and we break for coffee at 11am to enjoy a chat with our friends and look around at what everyone is creating, be it watercolour, pencil, oils etc.

Anyone interested in joining is welcome to drop in for coffee and see what goes on. We welcome all abilities!

n Directors Duet for Stokes Singers choir. The two MDs would love to welcome new members to Thursday rehearsals at 7.30pm at Coniston Community Centre, Patchway BS34 5LP.

Thursday

n Avon Harmony are a Ladies A Cappella / barbershop chorus.

We welcome visitors for a no obligation taster session. We rehearse at the dance studio, Fairfield High School, Allfoxton Road, Bristol BS7 9NL. Every Thursday evening 7.30pm 9.45pm. Tel: Mary 07954170532. n Yate Oral History Group meets 7.30pm,2nd Thursday of the month at Poole Court for interesting talks, refreshments & summer outings. We are a small friendly group looking for new members.

Contact Diana 01454 322811 n Barnardo’s Breastfeeding Peer Support Project provides emotional and practical support to new mothers. Weekly groups are held at venues in Thornbury, Yate and across South Gloucestershire.

The Yate group, called Yate

n Chipping Sodbury Folk Night Meets on 1st Thursday of each month in function room at Beaufort Pub . 8 pm - 11pm, Huge range of music and performers covering various genres , all welcome, performers slots are available on a first come basis. £1 on the door . Visit our Facebook page for more info, Chipping Sodbury Folk Night. Or call Jo on 07974 381333. n South Gloucestershire Arts Appreciation Society meet at Bradley Stoke Community School, Fiddlers Lane, Bradley Stoke, 3rd Thursday evening of the month.

Starting October at 7.00 for 7.30 start. Refreshments provided.

Contact: Sallykitching@googlemail. com Tel. 01454 774401

n Yate Community Choir.

Ridgewood Community Centre 7.30-9pm. Liz Martin 07891036145 n Chipping Sodbury Ladies Probus Last Thursday of every month 1012 Charter Suite Chipping Sodbury Town Hall. Speaker every month and regular trips out. T 01454 327491

What’s on at Yate Library Staffed opening: Monday: 10am-5.30pm Tuesday: 10am-5.30pm Friday: 10am-5.30pm Saturday: 9.30am-2.30pm Open access (unstaffed) Daily: 8am-7.30pm Speak to a member of staff for more details about registering your card for the open access system, so you can access library facilities throughout the week.

You can borrow and return books and use the computers.

Murder Mystery Evening: Assassination aboard Amphitrite A Red Herrings Production. Friday February 7, 7.30pm. Booking required: tickets for library members £3.20, non-members £6.40. Bring your own drinks – glasses, tea, coffee and nibbles provided.

Events for children and families: Free half-term drop in: Adventurous Vikings. February 18, 10.30am-noon. Craft session for ages 4-10.

Lego Challenge: Dragon’s Lair.

February 20, 10.30-11.30am. Build a lair to keep the dragon’s treasure safe from intruders. Booking required – limited places. Suitable for age 7+ Family Theatre @Yate Library: The Great Race. February 21 and 22 at 9.30am, 11am and 1.30pm. Running Time: 20 minutes. Recommended for adults and children aged 4-7 years. A traditional Japanese story to mark the year of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.

Pay what you want by bucket donation. Book tickets at www. southglosevents.eventbrite.co.uk.

Wriggle & Rhyme: Rhymes and songs for parents and babies/ toddlers to enjoy together.

Thursday mornings 10.30-11am,

For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

term time only.

Storytime: A free family-friendly storytime. Stories and a simple craft for pre-school children.

Monday mornings 10.30am11am, term time only.

Lego Club: Listen to stories and poems, then create a model to display at the library. Suitable for primary school age children, who must be accompanied by an adult. Saturday January 11, 10.3011.30am.

Teen Focus book group: Come and talk about books. Year 7+, £1 per session, refreshments provided. Thursday February 20, 6.30-7.30pm.

Other events and groups The Craft Group: February 1, 15 and 29, 10am-noon. New members will always be made welcome by this friendly group.

Share tips and ideas for your knitting, sewing or crochet projects.

Poetry Group: February 4 and 18, 1-2pm.

Support and educational groups RNIB Technology for Life: Technology support for blind and partially sighted people takes place at Yate Library on Wednesday afternoons by appointment only. For more information contact the RNIB Technology for Life team by email: tfl@rnib.org.uk or phone 0303 123 9999.

Vision West of England: Information, advice and support drop-in, February 21 from 10.30am-12.30pm. For more information contact Marc on 0117 322 4855 or email marc.gulwell@ visionwofe.org.uk Various free legal advice sessions: ask staff for details.

Various community learning courses: Contact 01454 864613 or community.learning@southglos.

Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

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27

n WHAT'S ON CONTINUED BreastFriends, meets at Yate Childrens Centre on Cranleigh Court Road on Tuesdays between 11.30am - 1.00pm. n The Yate and Sodbury District U3A Photography group meet at the St John’s Church Centre, Wickwar Road, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6BQ on the first Thursday of every month (except July and August) at 2p.m. we invite photographers of all abilities to come along and learn more. For more info email Mary Avenin mabr42@outlook.com or call 01179 099471 or visit our website at www. u3aphoto.blog. n Tudor Bridge Club meets at the hall behind St Lawrence Presbytery on Broad Street, every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. Contact Christine on 07876334921 n Kidz Club THE EDGE at Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church, 6-7.15pm in term time. We have an exciting club for all boys and girls – just come along and join in the fun! n #jobnetworkbristol & computerclub. Tablet and accessible computer club, employment support and signposting to opportunity.

Join us for a tea and coffee.

Cranleigh Court community hub, Tyndale Primary School, 1.30pm - 4pm. More information from jobnetworkbristol@outlook.com by email. n Emersons Green Quilters meet at Christ Church Centre, Quakers Road, Downend, 7.30pm9.30pm on second Thursday of every month. Contact Ann Price on 07505 267931 or email emersonsgreenquilters@gmail.com for more details. n Computer Club (drop-in) 2-4pm, Cranleigh Court Community Hub, Tyndale Primary School, Tyndale Avenue, Yate. For more details contact Matt Force by email at jobnetworkbristol@outlook.com.

Friday n Crofts End Silver Band: We are a small friendly brass band who meet in Hanham Tabenacle every Friday evening 7.30-9.00pm We play for enjoyment and not contesting.

Used to play? Want to learn?

Contact: Denise 07944 887979 or Reg 0117 9652229 n Options, a social meet and craft club (now in its 19th year) meet at The Ridgewood Community Centre, 10am-3pm every Friday.

Tea/coffee and biscuits available with Cafe on site. £2.50 a session. Contact Joan for details 01454314355. n Ladies who Latte - free women's networking group for women in business because there's no point being fabulous on your own!

We meet on the second Friday of the month at The Horseshoe in Chipping Sodbury from 10.00 - 12.00. Contact: Rebecca writetoreb@googlemail.com n Voices Together. The Old Grammar School. Chipping Sodbury 10-11.30. Liz Martin 07891036145 n Yate Men's Shed meet at Yate Parish Hall, from 1.30-4.30pm.

For further details please contact Steven Ringon 01454 323 857, or go to www.yatemensshed.com” n Cranleigh Court Cycling Club.

10.30am at Cranleigh Court Community Hub, Tyndale School.

If you want to get back into cycling this could be for you. More details from Brian on 0778 018 8146.

Saturday n Yate Racketeers Junior Badminton Club meets from 10am-11am and 11am-12.25pm, from September to April, term time only. Ages 6 to 18 All coaches DBS checked and Badminton England qualified. All abilities welcome. First session free. Contact Penny Shears on 0794 101 3514 or pennyshears@ googlemail.com. n Dippers Swimming Club for disabled plus family, meets every Saturday 5.30-6.30pm at Yate Leisure Centre. Contact Sue on 01454 850775 for more details. n CALMING YOGA Saturday’s 9.45am-10.45am Stretch. Breathe. Mindfulness.

Relaxation. Plus, free optional meditation end of class.

Trial £6.00. Masonic Hall, Hatters Lane, Chipping Sodbury, BS37 6AA. Beginners welcomed. Mats available.

Book online or call 07804598353 www.yoga-in. co.uk

powered scooters and wheelchairs, to help people to retain their independence and to use the facilities of the centre. You can also hire scooters and wheelchairs for longer terms. South Gloucestershire Council Diamond Cards can be used on the service.

Office is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am-4pm, and Saturday from 9.30am-2pm.

For more information call 01454 868718 or 0799 957 4474, or email shopmobilitysouthglos@yahoo.com.

Chipping Sodbury Library is open and staffed by volunteers during the following hours : Tuesdays 09.30 - 12.30 & 13.30 - 16.30 Wednesdays 09.30 - 18.30 Fridays 09.30 - 12.30 Saturdays 09.30 - 12.30 The usual borrowing facilities are available during the above hours and events for children during the school holidays.

Come in and see our monthly displays and borrow a book on the month's theme.

n NEWS Could you be a firefighter?

PEOPLE from all backgrounds are being urged to consider a job as a firefighter based in Yate as the Avon Fire and Rescue Service launches its annual recruitment drive.

Potential applicants are invited to initially find out more about what the role involves.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Simon Shilton said: “The remit of a firefighter in today’s world is much broader than the role played at emergencies."

The service is recruiting full-time firefighters for stations across the area as well as retained firefighters for Thornbury and Yate fire stations.

Recruitment events will run throughout February with applications officially opening in March, and successful candidates will take practical tests later in the year. There are also vacancies for corporate staff.

For more information visit www.yesyoucan.careers and register your interest.

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Sunday n Indoor short mat bowls at Pucklechurch Community Centre.

Established players and beginners welcome. Bowls provided. Sessions Sunday afternoon and Monday and Wednesday evenings. Contact Roger Payne 0117 937 3653. n Teas on Sunday at Old Sodbury Church. From 2.30-4.30pm every Sunday until September 16. Come and enjoy a cup of tea in the tranquility of the church or outside with an amazing view over the Severn Valley.

Shopmobility South Gloucestershire, Yate Library, Yate Shopping Centre The service hires out battery

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28

yate&sodburyvoice

n COMMUNITY NEWS News from the Rotary Club of Chipping Sodbury THE club celebrated the midpoint of the Rotary year in December with a splendid Christmas dinner, attended by nearly 90 members, partners and guests at the Chipping Sodbury Golf Club. During the evening, Margaret Baker, a member of Chipping Sodbury Inner Wheel club, was presented with a Community Service Award by our President, John Wells, in recognition of her sterling service over many years to Rotary-related events.

During January the club made five further financial grant awards to local deserving causes. The first was to Hawkesbury Upton Primary School, to assist in the purchase of new books. The second was a donation to Rangeworthy C of E Primary School to assist with the purchase of new iPads. The third was a pledge to Brimsham Green School to help towards the cost of an educational trip for students to Uganda. The fourth award on the youth front was a financial contribution to the placement of acoustic panels in a classroom at Overndale Nursery School, Old Sodbury, to help ease any hearing difficulties encountered by children, with a particular focus on one child at the moment. Finally the club made a financial grant to a local resident, Claire Grove, to add to her magnificent fundraising effort to raise money for the Meningitis Trust.

At the time of publication a couple of club members and their wives will be in Mannheim to participate in the 50th anniversary celebration of one our twinning Rotary Clubs. On January 29 the third in the series of Dementia Support Group tea dances was due to take place in Chipping Sodbury Town Hall from 2-4pm, with the support of our club and that of our Inner Wheel colleagues.

On the social side, the annual skittles competition involving Rotary clubs in the district was due to get underway during January.

The club meets twice a month at Chipping Sodbury Golf Club. Should you be interested in finding out a bit more about who we are and what we do, we would be delighted to welcome you to judge for yourself if Rotary is for you. Simply email me at sfraser952@gmail.com.

Stuart Fraser, Senior Vice President

February, 2020

£30,000 for Grand Appeal A FAMILY-run business in Yate has raised over £30,000 for the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity the Grand Appeal.

CAMB Machine Knives International set itself a challenge more than a year ago to bring its fundraising total for the charity to £30,000 in recognition of its 30th anniversary.

The company Jerry Milner with his daughter Sarah in Armstrong Way, and her daughter Chloe outside Bristol which supplies and Children's Hospital. exports knives to over 20 countries around the world, was established in 1989 and has been fundraising for the charity for almost 10 years after joining the Cots for Tots Business Challenge in 2010.

Over ten years the company has sponsored Gromits, thrown parties, done 10k runs, cycle challenges and even sponsored fishing matches.

The fundraising has been led by three generations of the family, spearheaded by daughter Sarah Hitchings and her dad and owner of CAMB Machine Knives International, Jerry Milner. More recently Sarah’s daughter Chloe and sister Emma also started fundraising.

Last year they raised £12,520.27, to smash their target.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020

29

n NEWS

Boycie in Sodbury ONE of the stars of Only Fools and Horses is coming to Chipping Sodbury to tell some stories and secrets from beind the scenes of the much-loved sitcom.

John Challis, who played Boycie in the hit BBC 1 series, will appear at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall later this year.

It’s promised that during the evening he will reveal secrets from behind the scenes, and tell anecdotes from working and socialising with some of the most famous names in show business, from the co-stars Sir David Jason and Nicolas Lyndhurst to The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Oliver Reed and George Best.

He’ll also share anecdotes from his roles in Dr Who and Coronation Street.

Fans are encouraged to meet John after the show for photos, and he’ll be signing copies of his autobiography, Being Boycie, and his novel, Reggie: A Stage At Bay. The event is on Saturday June 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £19.50 and booking is via SouthWestLive.co.uk.

Carbon neutral funerals A FUNERAL director is aiming to become 'carbon neutral' this year.

F Woodruff, part of an independent family firm of funeral directors with funeral homes in Yate, Coalpit Heath and Winterbourne, is looking at all of its practices to reduce waste, increase recycling and offset the carbon used in the business via two projects: Gold Standard, which works with the World Wide Fund for Nature and other international organisations to support projects which reduce carbon emissions and contributed to sustainable development, and oil firm Shell's Drive Carbon Neutral scheme to offset emissions from vehicles by funding forest developments and grassland preservation projects.

A spokesperson said: "We as a company feel that due to the nature of the job we do and the professional vehicles we use on funerals, we should be looking at trying to offset the carbon which we use.

"For 2020 we will be looking at our business practices and try to recycle more, reduce our waste and not make unnecessary journeys.

"As another step in trying to become carbon neutral we will be donating £5 from every funeral we conduct, to offset the carbon we use. Hopefully these small steps which we will try to make over the coming years will help to reduce our carbon footprint."

For more details on the schemes visit www.goldstandard.org or search for Drive Carbon Neutral online.

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yate&sodburyvoice

31

n MOTORING

A guide to pre-owned cars with Richard Cooke

Second-hand Style Honda CRV Hybrid: The public gets what the public wants

N

O, I’m not referring to Brexit or another Tory government (although you’ve got both of them), but instead endless variants on the compact SUV theme. And it was Honda that started it all when they released the CRV back in 1995.

Look around, and you’ll notice that although SUVs are everywhere, they typically aren’t Range Rovers or hulking Audis and BMWs. Instead, what people want and buy in ever-increasing volumes are Japanese and Korean compact facsimiles of more expensive European models.

When we bought our Mazda CX-5, we took a look at the 4th generation CRV that was made at the time in Swindon. Oh dear. I had to check my notes to remember the details of the drive, it was that forgettable. The 2.0 petrol engine was boring, the build quality was no doubt excellent but felt lightweight and the interior…actually, I don’t really remember.

Honda had managed to produce a car so anodyne that I’ve wiped it from my mind. So can this 5th generation petrol hybrid model, released in 2017, stick in the brain?

First impressions are that Honda have made the CRV much bigger and, whilst they

have, we’re only talking 6cm of length and 4cm of width. The styling is much better than before, with a more vertical and higher grille at the front and a rakish line to the boot that manages to look sleek but remain square set and practical. It looks more American, and I mean that as a compliment.

The CRV is no longer made in Swindon (the plant closes next year), although this is entirely coincidental to the significantly increased perception of quality. Honda have spent serious cash to make the CRV look and feel premium inside, and it works. I’ve sat in SUVs costing twice as much with a cheaper feeling interior.

It also seems like there is lots of room in the back, although this is partly an illusion generated by the acres of headroom. The boot is a really good size, with a very low and convenient load height. Fold the rear seats down and you could fit a washing machine and a tumble dryer in there, should you wish.

Under the bonnet, Honda have fitted their venerable 150hp 2.0 VTEC engine. This motor has consistently failed to impress me in whatever car Honda put it in. Yes, it is utterly reliable, but it lacks torque, character, power and efficiency. So I was pleasantly surprised to

find that hooking it up to a couple of batteries has transformed this engineering dullard into a respectable and smooth performer.

0-60 takes about 9 seconds, in-gear pickup is impressive (and, as importantly, quiet) and fuel consumption around 40mpg. This, remember, from a heavy family-orientated SUV with an automatic gearbox.

So far, so good, but what impressed me most about the CRV was the ride. Maybe it was the sheer weight of the beast (1.6 tons!), helped by an engine that felt capable, but more likely it was the excellent suspension.

The CRV is simply lovely to cruise around in. The seats are wide but supportive. The handling is on the soft side but never wallows.

Whilst you know you’ve been over a pot hole, you don’t actually feel any impact. Remarkable and relaxing.

And the bad news? This CRV has been on sale for just over two years, and the hybrid is the expensive pick. My test car was a 68 plate ‘SE’ model, which sits in the middle of the range and when new would have been around £32k. That means that on the used market, the price of entry is still high. Despite this, don’t be tempted by the previous generation. You’ll forget you own it and it’ll get towed away or, worse still, you’ll drift off at the wheel. Instead, congratulate Honda for putting the original compact SUV back near the top of the pile.

As the old saying goes: "People who like this sort of thing will find that this is just the sort of thing they like."

What to pay, Honda CRV Hybrid: £25k for a 2018 model with 5k miles

WE’RE ONLINE TOO! www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk For Newsdesk Or Advertising contact 01454 800 120

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32

February, 2020

n RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Ann Murray is from the Cooking4 Cookery School based in Chipping Sodbury.

She’s teamed up with Yate & Sodbury Voice to pass on her wealth of experience in the kitchen.

In love with a rich chocolate dessert I THINK it’s fair to say that in my column I don’t very often feature a really rich, calorific dessert. But as Delia Smith - or as my friend calls her, Saint Delia - has taught everyone, it’s hard to make a really exquisite dessert without shelling out the calories. She also said have a small portion, don’t feel guilty and don’t go back for seconds! Plus, make it a treat, don’t eat it every day. So, this is my excuse - and I’m sticking to it.

This chocolate torte looks great and is super easy and quick to make, so it’s my go to dessert when I want to impress, but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. It can be made a couple of days ahead and any remainders can be frozen in portion sizes to be brought out when only something intensely chocolatey will do! Do make sure that you allow the torte to come to room temperature for maximum flavour. And remember Delia’s advice, a small piece goes a long way. Indulge yourself in a little chocolate naughtiness.

Chocolate, Orange and Hazelnut Torte

• Large pinch sea salt.

• 25g (1 oz) toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped.

• Icing sugar for dusting top

Serves 6-8, depending on how much of a chocoholic you are!

Here’s What You Do:

Makes one deep 8 inch (20cm) ceramic or Pyrex flan dish

Preheat the oven to 180C, 170C fan or gas mark 4.

Butter the flan dish, including the bottom. Line the bottom with baking parchment, then dust with cocoa.

Place the chocolate, butter and orange zest in a medium-sized bowl.

Place the bowl in a microwave and melt the chocolate on medium for 1 min. If not quite melted, do it for a further 30 seconds. Stir. Don’t overdo it. Stop when its almost done. Stir again and let the heat of the bowl finish it off. Too much cooking will make the chocolate go grainy - if so, you’ll have to start again!

With a balloon whisk, stir in the sugar and then the eggs, a little at a time, until you have a smooth mix. Don’t worry if the mix seems to

Ingredients: • 125g (4.5oz) dark chocolate – 70% cocoa solids, look on the back of the wrapper if the percentage is not clearly marked on the front. I use Lindt Excellence or Green and Black chocolate.

• 125g (4.5oz) caster sugar.

• 125g (4.5oz) unsalted butter.

• Zest of 2 oranges (or 3 Clementines.)

• 3.5 large free-range egg, 30mls is half an egg, very lightly beaten • ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract • ¼ teaspoon of almond extract • 1 tbsp Cointreau, optional

curdle, just keep stirring. Stir in the extracts and the Cointreau, if using.

Finally, stir in the salt.

Spoon the mix into the prepared flan dish and place in a roasting tin of hot water, making sure the water level is at least 1cm (½ inch) below the top of the dish.

Cook in the centre of the oven until the top feels set and springy to the touch, about 25 mins.

Once set, switch off the heat and leave in the oven for 5 mins.

Remove from the oven and the roasting tin.

Sprinkle the hazelnuts evenly over the top of the torte whilst still warm.

Allow to cool on a wire rack - you can eat this warm or allow to cool to room temperature.

To serve – sift over a little icing sugar on top. A splash of single cream or crème fraiche mixed with a splash of vanilla extract cuts through the richness of the torte.

You can also serve with berries, when in season, or clementines.

yate&sodburyvoice

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Issue 59

IN YATE, CHIPPIN

Georgina Spotlight on

View us online at www.yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

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CONSERVATIVE and retained his Thornburywon a Tories Yate seat as the in the general majority of 80 election.

PAGE 17

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Georgina Moore of Chipping Sodbury mixed with stars including Sir Chris Hoy (pictured), Gary Lineker and Katarina JohnsonThompson at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

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February, 2020

33

n YATE HERITAGE CENTRE

A celebration of Newman Industries AS the Heritage Centre stages a new exhibition on one of the town's most famous companies, David Hardill looks the history of Newman’s of Yate.

from the mid-1930s. Newman’s, ostensibly a producer of electric motors, had only been in Yate a few years before bombshell case production came to dominate the company’s output. The metal working and precision engineering skills required in making motors enabled the firm to produce bombshells. Staff like Ken Skuse were taken on to oversee lathe production in order to drill the metal shells.

As a result of this work, Newman Industries became a target of the Luftwaffe, along with neighbouring Parnall Aircraft.

There were early bombing raids on the company, causing severe damage, and former staff recall regular air raid sirens and aircraft flying overhead were regular sights.

The Newman wartime story would not be complete without mention of the new staff. Worker numbers increased from a few hundred to a few thousand at this time. Workers came from other industrial areas of the country.

Male staff were replenished by women, who were engaged in most manual jobs, including operating lathes for drilling.

Newman’s also began their long, proud tradition of employing displaced families. Around 1940 and 1941, Belgian refugees were both housed by the company at Lawns House (later the Lawns pub) and worked for Newman’s in different departments. Later, Newman’s would employ Hungarian refugees in the foundry following the Hungarian uprising of 1956.

The display will be on from the 29th of January 29 to March 25.

ALTHOUGH the closure of Newman Industries of Yate is well within living memory for many local people, wholesale redevelopment in the town centre has eradicated most of the traces of this once famous company. Newman’s was a major factory in the centre of Yate, producing electric motors, from the early 1930s to 1988 – and for many people the long red perimeter wall of Newman’s was the face of Yate. The company itself played an immense role in the social and economic lives of people in the wider Yate area and Bristol.

Such has been the enthusiasm for all things Newman from past staff and supporters that we continue to get wonderful images, documents and associated artefacts to add to our alreadyburgeoning Newman collections. A fresh re-visit to Newman Industries has therefore been well overdue.

There are many strands to the Newman story, which we will cover in our forthcoming display, including many lesser-known themes such as the Second World War. Newman’s wartime history is oft neglected, as the more dramatic bombing raids on Parnall Aircraft in early 1941, not surprisingly, take centre stage.

Nevertheless, there is a tale to tell.

Like Parnall Aircraft, Newman Industries was put on a war footing

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Neman Industries staff circa 1941. Photo courtesy of Michael Brittain.

February events January 29-March 25: A Celebration of Newman Industries – history of the electric motor firm of Yate, featuring much of our collection of artefacts, images and documents from the company’s heyday. Funded

by Richard Newman.

February 19, 10.30am or 1.30pm: Holiday craft workshops, Hearts and Flowers. Make your own Valentine-related Victorian-style cards.

Ideal for children 5-12. Booking essential. Adult supervision expected.

February 19, 7.30pm: Yate Archaeology Group, Birdlip Graves.

Malcolm Watkins discusses the prehistoric Birdlip Graves of Gloucestershire. £3 admission or free for members of Yate Archaeological Group.

February 20, 10.30am or 1.30pm: Holiday clay workshops, Making Greek Pottery. Make your own ancient Greek style pottery and discover the world of the ancient Greeks. Ideal for children 5-12. Booking essential. Adult supervision expected.

February 25: Yate Lecture Series, Fykes Ferries and Fishing. John Putley discusses the fishing communities on the Severn during the 19th and 20th centuries. £2 admission or free for Friends of YHC.

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yate&sodburyvoice

34

February, 2020

n PETER'S VISION

A sight to behold

I

Gaining control over primitive (retained) reflexes (the reflexes we are born with, such as the startle reflex) is needed. However, as with many aspects of our early development, things don’t always go as smoothly as they should and it is quite possible that some of these primitive reflexes are retained which can actually hinder more advanced development in some learning areas. I’ve found that in my patients who have dyslexia, or dyslexic type symptoms, there is a higher amount of retained early reflexes.

The most common reports from parents tend to be that a child or young person is just not achieving their potential. Patients are often bright, but have difficulty expressing this in their academic performance. They have usually developed coping strategies, but

F you’re a breakfast radio fan, then you may have heard Chris Evans talking about the revelation for his son that is treatment for his retained reflexes.

To see his son’s newfound ability to learn to read and write as well as reduced anxiety must surely be a sight to behold!

Vision is a process that is learnt; we are normally born with two eyes that can see but have not yet fully developed nor have their connections to the brain and the processing that needs to take place. Babies have to learn how to move their limbs in a voluntary and planned way and gain enough control so that they can then start to coordinate movements and vision together. They can then learn to crawl towards something they see and use fine movements to pick up something small; do you see?

GLASSES

these then ultimately limit their performance ability. A sight test usually shows little as our patients have often developed ways to pass this vision assessment.

As part of our vision therapy (behavioural optometry) clinics, we offer a full diagnostic vision assessment, which includes time to discuss your symptoms and concerns. We’ll then produce a written report of our findings.

Following this diagnostic assessment we can tailor a vision therapy exercise program to help you or your child develop a well functioning and balanced visual system - the aim of which is to enable our patients to achieve their full learning potential. The process of visual system recovery and development usually takes from four to twelve months with often extraordinary results.

If you’d like to know more, our website has information under our vision therapy heading, or if you have any questions you can drop us an email via our website.

You can book an appointment for a routine eye exam or more specialist vision assessment, for yourself or those you love, by calling 0117 962 2474 or 0117 965 4434, via our website, or just pop in to our practices in Henleaze or Fishponds and say Hi! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Peter

Peter Turner is a Senior Optometrist at Turners Opticians in Bristol who also works part time as a Senior Optometrist at the Bristol Eye Hospital.

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Email: contact@yateandsodburyvoice.co.uk

yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020

35

n COMMUNITY NEWS Chipping Sodbury WI WHAT a start to the New Year, as a number of our members, including myself, missed the January Social due to a flu bug that is going round. Never mind, as we do have a number of interesting talks for the year, which will be our 99th birthday year.

The American Supper did go ahead with a quiz and secret Santa and a good catch up on the gossip over the festive period. I will have to catch up on this at the next meeting.

For the talks we have the following booked for the year, which is always subject to change although we have been very fortunate to have very limited changes in the past.

February 6: Debbie Keeling, Bath Harvest Rapeseed Oils, including product demo.

March 5: Neil Stace (as seen on the Great British Sewing Bee), Sewing on the front line.

April 2: Emma Britton, BBC presenter, A job like no other.

May 7: Mark Rutterford, Three short stories.

June 4: Sarah Cooke, My Weaving Journey.

July 2: Maggie Glastonbury, Running with the Olympic torch September 3: Susan Symons, The colourful personal life of Queen Victoria.

October 1: Dr Keith Hooper, Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist.

November 5: AGM followed

by Adrian Brown, Southmead Maternity Charity.

December 3: Jutta Blumenthal, Herbs and spices at Christmas.

All meetings are held at the Town Hall on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm.

Is your new year's resolution to go out more and meet new

friends? If so, why not give it a go?

You will be made welcome.

Jeanette Oakley

Yate WI

THE year 2019 ended well for Yate WI, with an invitation to the Mayor’s reception where Becca, our president, was presented with a grant cheque. During the reception, Becca and I happened to sit with a couple who are collating the results of the survey about what Yate has to offer over-50’s: a very interesting conversation, looking forward to seeing the results. We also enjoyed a wonderful buffet!

At our first meeting of 2020, we welcomed several new members and visitors, then enjoyed a presentation by Richard Lewis of Great Western Air Ambulance.

Richard explained the service has a helicopter and two fully equipped cars which are dispatched on average five times daily, with a critical care doctor and paramedic on board, covering a population of 2.1 million. The GWAA is a charity dependent on donations. I think we all enjoyed the talk and hoped never to need the service!

After a social tea and biscuit break, Becca reminded members of the continuation of our social gettogether at the Cupcake Fashion Tearoom. We will start a walking group, firstly joining walks from S.Glos walking programme, then member Sally will organise walks

for the group; several members expressed an interest in visiting Bristol Blue Glass; other members are looking for a suitable venue for a craft group – lots to look forward to. At our next meeting Sam Rees, a member of The Tudor Queen Experience group, will demonstrate dressing a Tudor queen, the many pieces and layers that were put together to make the complete gown required if you were a Queen living in Tudor times.

There is always a warm welcome for visitors and prospective new members. For more information, visit our website yatewiavon.wixsite.com/yatewi or find us on Facebook at Yate WI. Barbara Potter

Old Sodbury WI WE began our new centenary in sporting mode – an inter-club skittles evening with fish and chip supper. A third of our members' new year resolutions broken already!

Next we went to glamour: our monthly competition was a youthful photo. My, what glamour

girls we were!

Thank goodness we were not mill girls of the previous century.

Our speaker, Robert Wenton, took us on a 114-day sail journey on the Bride Ships - Tynemouth and Robert Shaw - to British Columbia.

The bring and buy stall was awash with tempting articles to swell our funds.

Our craft club met for knit and natter on Wednesday January 22.

Seafarers hats are still needed and also various garments for the many burnt animals in Australia – patterns and details are available.

Locally our church would welcome any offers to do the altar flowers.

Our Book Club met for an American Supper on January 23.

We have also been invited to sing for the day on February 1 with Fascinating Rhythm.

We received a letter of thanks for our donation to the Little Princess Trust, from a local girl who had actually benefited from it – very moving.

Tracy Shipp

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yate&sodburyvoice

36

February, 2020

n SPORT

Sodbury beat fellow strugglers Chipping Sodbury Town 3-1 Wellington AFC SODBURY recovered from their disappointing start to 2020 to record their second win in three league games with a fine 3-1 home victory over fellow strugglers Wellington AFC. The Sods ended 2019 on a positive note, taking all three point in a 2-1 win against Roman Glass St George, a win that moved them away but not clear of the relegation battle. They were bought back down to earth by fourth-placed Shepton Mallet on the opening fixture of the new decade, adding making the Wellington game a must-win six pointer.

The hosts struggled with the conditions playing into a strong wind in the first half and creating just a couple of half chances.

Wellington used the wind to good effect and dominated possession, and when Sodbury failed to clear a cross from the

crossbar just three minutes after the equaliser with a 25 yard effort that left the keeper grasping at thin air. Just four minutes later he rose above the Wellington keeper at a corner, with the resultant loose ball falling to Jack Moore, who fired home to give Sodbury the lead.

Wellington were unable to cope with Sodbury’s passing and energy levels and with just five minutes left Jack Parker added a third goal for the hosts. Parker was sent clear with a precise clipped pass into the penalty area where he found himself one on one with the keeper calmly passing the ball into the corner of the net.

The three points moved Sodbury to 18th place in the Toolstation Western Premier League, 5 points above Wellington. They remained there despite a 3-0 home defeat to third-placed Exmouth on January 18.

Mark Lloyd

Jack Parker scores Sodbury’s third goal.

Photo: MJR Photography left, Harry Hamblin was on hand to slot home from inside the penalty area with a low shot on 23 minutes.

As the half progressed Wellington began to rely on the long throw-in, which initially caused panic but they overused the tactic and the predictability allowed the Sods to clear the danger with relative ease. Archie Watts was in fine form between the posts and cleared his lines on numerous occasions.

The second half began with

Wellington on the offensive, clearly aware that the conditions would play a major part as the game progressed. Sodbury weathered the storm, using the wind at their backs to great advantage and they dominated the final 35 minutes. They levelled through Luke Burman on 65 minutes when he struck from the edge of the area following a period of intense Sodbury pressure.

Dan Brown, on as a secondhalf substitute, struck the

n ABBOTSWOOD PHARMACY BLOG

Planning a trip abroad?

AN estimated 35million travellers jet off without seeking any medical advice. Please don’t put your health at risk.

Malaria, hepatitis, rabies, cholera, Japanese encephalitis are only some of the travel-related diseases that we help protect you from.

Discovering another country's health system as a patient, when you are a long way from home, is no holiday maker's dream. The additional cost and anxiety all part of the nightmare. Our travel clinic is run by NHS regulated professionals, providing expert advice you can rely on. using our service means you are supporting our community-focused award-winning pharmacy service and enabling us to donate to our charity partners.

Eight weeks before your trip is the recommended time to seek health advice but if it is late, don’t panic. We offer same day, last minute appointments: just get in touch today.

We are pleased to announce that we are partnering with the Meningitis Now charity to support their work. Do come in to pick up a symptoms card and find our more about this disease that still takes young lives and causes long-term disability The Meningitis B vaccination, the only prevention available, is only offered by the NHS to children born after 2015. Did you know Abbotswood Pharmacy Yate offers the lowest-priced Meningitis B vaccination service?

We now have people travelling from outside town to use our cost-saving service.

Contact us on 0800 7723575 for more details or just come in to speak with us.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020

37

n SPORT

City loanees shine for Yate Town TWO impressive 4-1 wins over promotion-chasing sides took Yate Town out of the Premier Division South relegation zone.

A victory against local rivals Taunton Town on January 11 was followed by an even more impressive demolition of league leaders Chesham United in a midweek match under the lights at Lodge Road.

Sandwiched in-between was a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Walton Casuals to give the Bluebells a three-match unbeaten run as the Voice went to press.

That followed a disappointing run of fixtures over Christmas and new year, when Town fell to defeats against Merthyr Town, Salisbury and Blackfield & Langley.

Bristol City under-18s striker Sam Bell was the star of the win over Taunton, scoring twice, with the other goals courtesy of Nick Peare and a long-range effort from fellow Ashton Gate loanee

Sam Bell celebrates one of his two goals against Taunton.

Photo: B.East Photography Joe Low, which dipped at the last moment to fool the Taunton keeper.

Bell shone again in the win over Chesham, converting a penalty won by Tommy Conway, another Bristol City loanee, midway through the first half before

his shot was parried to Joe Guest, who put in the rebound, near the stroke of half time.

He then scored from the edge of the area early in the second half before setting up Conway for the fourth with ten minutes to go.

Away win for Yate YATE RFC started the New Year back on a winning note with a hard-fought win away to Whitehall RFC 2nds.

The victory was Yate’s eighth in the league, with only a single defeat to their name.

Yate found themselves 13 points down in the first 20 minutes of the game, to two early penalties and a converted try, before a try by Evan Demonick, converted by James Cannon, brought them back into the game.

A further unconverted try by Whitehall gave them an 18-7 halftime lead.

But in the second half, an unanswered brace of tries from Craig Archer and a try apiece from Cannon and James Falconer, supported by two conversions from Cannon, gave Yate a 31-18 win.

It was Yate’s third win this season against Whitehall and also marked the 50th Yate appearances of Matt Davies and Jordan Hawker.

Mark Summerville

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yate&sodburyvoice

38

February, 2020

n SPORT

Ladies win again AFTER beating Gordano the previous week, Chipping Sodbury Ladies kept their new year momentum going with a 20-5 win over Old Bristolians.

With the opposition struggling for numbers, it was agreed the game would be played as 13s, so Sodbury knew it was going to be not only tough but fast.

With possession equal for most of the first half, both sides’ defence was impenetrable but Chipping Sodbury were determined to score.

After turning the ball over, the home side realigned and got the ball to full back Katie Lane, who fought off three defenders with some cracking hand-offs to score her first try of the day on the 25 minute mark, which turned out to be the only score of the half.

Sodbury continued to push forward in the second half and Lane scored her second try of the game following strong carries from forwards Angel De’mar and Susan Stewart, and wing Kelly-Anne Parsons.

With Louise Romanowski adding a penalty, Lane's hat-trick followed soon afterwards, coming after Tina Best secured the ball from a lineout. a penalty in support that finished the job, with scoring her second try of the game.

Losing a player to injury, Old Bristolians were forced to drop to 12 and Sodbury matched. The visitors battled towards the Sodbury try line but were unable to break it and Lane then scored an impressive fourth try of the day before Old Bristolians were rewarded for their hard work when poor discipline saw Sodbury penalised twice, and a quick tap penalty led to their only try of the day.

Martine Richardson

AERIAL SERVICES

Sodbury lose to leaders Stroud CHIPPING Sodbury RFC are sitting mid-table in the Tribute Western Counties North after a home defeat to Stroud.

Sodbury's first home game of the season was against the division's runaway leaders, who are unbeaten after 15 matches.

Stroud won by 40 points to 17, with Dan Cole, pictured, among the scorers for Sodbury.

Photo by Paul Rubery.

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yate&sodburyvoice

February, 2020 ELECTRICAL SERVICES

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